HOUSTON — Jerry Hentrow made the mistake of admitting a very personal failing to his men’s breakfast group that meets Wednesday mornings: He dabbles in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, he said, and keeps a box of them in the garage. To his dismay, his admission was met with stony silence. It soon became clear that none of the other men could identify with him because not one has struggled with any type of sexual vice.

“I was counting on the other guys having secret sins, too,” Hentrow said later outside the restaurant. “I thought that’s what this men’s group was about. The group has felt a little stilted and I wanted to break it open with some gut-level honesty. Now I feel uniquely screwed up.”

After making his admission, Hentrow says the men stared at him for a moment. Then the leader cleared his throat and said, “Let’s read this week’s Bible verse,” and the moment passed, however awkwardly.

“I’m thinking of transferring to a group where the men are more on my sin level,” Hentrow says. “I can’t show my face in there again, that’s for sure.” •